Heenan Is Connacht's Player Of The Month

Jake Heenan has been named the Connacht Player of the Month for October. The voting for the award, in association with Hartmanns Jewellers and Tag Heuer watches, was opened up to the public last week and Heenan was one of three players nominated by the management team for his hard work and commitment both on and off the pitch during the month.

Jake Heenan, who signed for Connacht last summer, won the majority of the votes after impressing with his on-field performances in the games against Benetton Treviso, Saracens, Zebre and Leinster.

The young flanker came through the New Zealand Schools and Auckland Blues Academy before going on to captain the Baby Blacks in last year's IRB Junior World Championship where they finished as runners-up to South Africa.

With Connacht, the 21-year-old has played in all nine games so far this season and was quick to establish himself as an abrasive tough-tackling, traditional number 7.

Commenting on the October Player of the Month, Connacht head coach Pat Lam said: "I'm delighted that Jake been given this award. His hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed by us, the management, and his team-mates and it's great that the supporters can see this too.

"With injuries in the squad and especially our back row, Jake was thrown straight in. He started every game in October and showed his talent and ability in those games.

"Jake is an outstanding professional both on and off the pitch. He is incredibly mature for his years and is testament to all that when you put in the hard work you get the rewards.

"He is a natural leader and genuine team player and has settled very well in to the Connacht family."

Richard Hartmann, Director of Hartmann Jewellers, added: "We tried something different this month by opening up the voting to the public and I think the Connacht supporters really enjoyed having a say in the Player of the Month having watched some great games in October, including the fantastic Heineken Cup victory away to Zebre and the agonisingly close clashes with Saracens and Leinster.

"It was clear that Jake played a huge role in these games. He is one of the most exciting players to come to Connacht and we're all really enjoying what he's brought to the Sportsground.

"We look forward to more exciting rugby from the young forward and wish him all the best with Connacht for the years to come."

Looking forward to facing England on Sunday, Ireland winger Tommy Bowe said: "We've trained very well this week, we're really excited about the game. It's about going out there and doing whatever we can to get ourselves that win."

Second row Devin Toner previews Ireland's crunch RBS 6 Nations clash with England, saying: "It's a pretty formidable English pack. Attwood and Kruis have played fantastically well. They're well drilled and focused and their scrum and lineout are very good."

Looking forward to facing England this weekend, Ireland back rower Sean O'Brien said: "It's obviously exciting, but it's one game at a time. I don't think there's any more pressure on us than in the first two games. That's the way you have to look at it."

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